The ancient capital of Gwalior is steeped in the splendour of its past. A multitude of regning dynasties, of the great Rajput clans of the Pratiharas. Kachwahas and Tomars have left indelible etching of their rule in this city of palaces, temples and monuments. The magnificent momentoes of a glorious past have been preserved with care, giving Gwalior a unique and timeless appeal. |
The new city of Gwalior became, over the centuries, the cradle of great dynasties and with each, the city gained new dimensions from warrior kings, poets, musicians and saints, contributing 10 making it a capital renowned throughout the country. Today , Gwalior is a modern Indian city, vibrant and bustling. |
SHOPPING: |
Perhaps the oldest bazaars in Madhya Pradesh are in Gwalior. In the lanes near the Chowk at Bara, shopkeepers claim a lineage that dates back several centuries. Chanderi sarees can be found here, along with choice fabrics with a traditional weave. The shops near Rajwara and Laskar, particularly at Patankar Bazaar, offer a mix of arts and crafts that are native to Gwalior. These include dolls, lacquerware, hand-woven carpets, wall hangings in the Gwalior style of painting, jewellery and crafts from other centres in Madhya Pradesh. |
EXCURSIONS: |
Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary This magnificent bird haven in actual came into being paradoxically as a duck shooting preserve for Maharaja Suraj Mull of Bharatpur. He transformed the shallow depression formed by the confluence of River Gambhir and River Banganga into a reservoir by damming the rainwater in monsoons. Flooding of water created shallow wetland ecosystem causing it to be a perfect habitat for an astounding variety of birds. DelhiDelhi is the capital of India since old times. Delhi's history dates back to the first millenium BC, when it was known as Indraprastha. The Tomar Rajputs built Lal Kot, the core of the first of Delhi's seven cities. It is the epicenter of the nation's politics, economy and culture. History is alive and throbbing in Delhi, the capital of India. Jaipur Jaipur is 260 km from Delhi and 240 km from Agra and forms the most chosen tourism golden triangle of Delhi, Agra and Jaipur. It a bustling capital city and a business centre with all the trapping of modern metropolis but yet flavoured strongly with an age-old charm that never fails to surprise a traveller. |
Jain Temple in Gwalior Fort - Gwalior
Jai Vilas Palace - Gwalior
il Forte - Gwalior
Mathura A long line of picturesque ghats - with their steps leading to the water's edge, arched gateways and temple spires extending along the right bank of the River Yamuna, emphasis the sacred character of the town of Mathura. The birth place of Lord Krishna, "the best known, best loved and most complex of Lord Vishnu's manifestations" - Mathura is today an important place of pilgrimage.
Vrindavan What is comparatively a matter of detail is that Vrindavan is believed to have been the stage on which Krishna performed his famous romantic and sportive roles. Unlike busy Mathura. Vrindavan seems perpetually to be dreaming and imaginatively, re-living its romantic past.
Attractions and Places to Visit in Gwalior
Art Galleries and Museums: The Scindia Museum situated in the Jai Vilas Palace, has a collection ranging from sculptures, bronzes, miniature paintings, manuscripts and coins. The Gujari Mahal Archaeological Museum houses rare antiquities. The old ancestral house of the legendary Ustad Hafiz Ali Khan has been converted into 'Sarod Ghar' - Museum of Music by the Ustad Hafiz Ali Khan Memorial Trust. The Municipal Corporation Museum has a very fine natural history section.
Chanderi: The town dominated the trade routes of Central India on the borders of Malwa and Bundelkhand and became an important military outpost. Today it is a well-preserved medieval town famed for the craft of sari weaving, with beautiful structures executed in the Bundelkhandi style.
Daita: (69 Km)Daita is known for its seven-storied palace of Raja Bir Singh Deo built atop a hill. This unique structure was known in Mahabharata as Daityavakra. The other interesting sights are Gopeshwar Temple and the tantric peeth of Pitambara Devi.
Dholpur: Between Gwalior and Agra, in a part of Rajasthan that separates Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, Dholpur was the scene of a pitched battle between Aurangzeb's sons for inheritance of the emperor's throne. There is a very old fort called Shergarh Fort, which is now in ruins.
Gwalior Fort: The city's most renowned landmark stands on a steep mass of sandstone dominating the city and the fort hill is around 3 kms in length. Its glorious history dates back to more than a thousand years. Emperor Babar who was inspired by this imposing structure described it "the pearl amongst the fortresses of Hind."
Gwalior: Zoo Gwalior Zoo has some rare species of Indian wildlife kept in natural surroundings.
Jai Vilas Palace: Jai Vilas Palace, the current residence of the Scindia family is an Italianate structure combining the Tuscan and Corinthian architectural modes. About 35 of the rooms have been converted into the Scindia Museum. The main durbar hall is impressive.
Kala Vithika: The Kala Vithika is another treasure house of the arts. It remains closed on Sundays and public holidays.
Mausoleum of Ghaus Mohammed: The sandstone mausoleum of the Afghan prince, Ghaus Mohammed, is designed on early Mughal lines and the sheer beauty of the tomb is breathtaking.
Narwar: Narwar or Narbar is a tahsil located at a distance of 43 kms from Shivpuri, the district head quarters. It is remarkable for its medieval fortress atop a hill. Narwar was the one-time capital of Raja Nal of Naisadha, and his consort Damayanti.
Orchha: Lying on the road to Khajuraho, Orchha is famous for its palaces and temples built in the 17th and 18th centuries and was once the capital of the Bundela Rajputs. The Jehangir Mahal, the Chaturbhuj Mandir and the Laxmi Mandir are worth visiting.
Pawaya: Pawaya is some 68 kms from Gwalior where the life-size statue of Chaksha Manibhadra was found. The ruins of the medieval fort built by the Parmars and the nearby Dhoomeshwar Mahadeo temple are other attractions.
Sas-Bahu-ka-Mandir:Another architectural gem is the Sas Bahu ka Mandir dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Mahipala, the Kachchwah king, built it in the early 11th century.
Sun Temple: Located near the Residency at Morar, the newly constructed Sun Temple dedicated to Sun God takes its inspiration from the famous Sun Temple in Orissa.
Teli ka Mandir: The 9th century edifice towering 100 ft. high is a Pratihara Vishnu temple with a unique blend of Muslim and Hindu architecture sporting a peculiar layout plan and design. A figure of Garuda crowns the high doorway, which is the highest structure in the fort.
How to Reach Gwalior
By Air : Regular flights connect Gwalior with Delhi, Bhopal, Indore and Mumbai.
By Rail : Gwalior is on the Central Railway's main Delhi-Mumbai and Delhi-Chennai lines. Among other major trains, the Taj and Shatabdi Expresses connect Gwalior with Delhi and Agra.
By Road : Gwalior is connected